Infertility may happen for a number of reasons, and it is fairly common among couples trying to conceive. Generally defined, infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive after a year of intercourse without contraception. Treating infertility may simply be a matter of changing a few lifestyle factors, or it may require varying degrees of medical intervention. Every couple has different reasons for being unable to conceive, so a medical evaluation of both partners is necessary in order to determine the cause and proper treatment for each case of infertility. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following infertility treatments.

Lifestyle changes. One of the most common lifestyle changes for treating infertility is to have sex regularly, or to do so according to an ovulation calendar in an attempt to take advantage of periods of peak fertility. The National Library of Medicine states, “You can increase your chances of becoming pregnant each month by having sex at least every 3 days before and during ovulation. It is especially important to do so 72 hours before ovulation begins.” Other changes may include attaining a healthy weight if youre significantly under or overweight, improving your daily nutrition and exercising regularly. Men may benefit from wearing loose-fitting underwear made of natural fibers, as well as avoiding exposure to high temperatures for prolonged periods of time. Reducing or eliminating nicotine and alcohol intake may also improve your chances of conception.

Medical intervention. Infertility may be caused by low sperm counts or abnormal motility, eggs that are not releasing, the failure of eggs to adhere to the uterine wall after fertilization, blockages in the fallopian tubes, ovarian cysts and many other such causes. Many of these problems may respond to drug therapy, though others may require surgical intervention. In addition, it may be possible to use alternative fertilization methods and implant the viable fertilized egg in the womans womb. Medical intervention is often expensive and may carry some additional risks, but in many cases, it is quite effective for a couple that is unable to conceive on their own. Your doctor may require that you try to conceive on your own for one year before beginning fertility treatments unless there is an apparent medical reason for infertility.
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